ACLU-New Jersey This is a great day for all of New Jersey. The court has recognized the love and commitment that same-sex couples share is no different from anyone else’s,” said Udi Ofer, executive director of the ACLU of New Jersey. “The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Windsor to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act made it clear that …

In a ruling that Gov. Chris Christie has vowed to appeal, a New Jersey Superior Court judge ruled this afternoon that the state must allow same-sex couples to marry. Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson sided almost entirely with a group of same-sex couples and gay rights groups who sued the state in July, days after the U.S. Supreme Court struck …

The Newark Star-Ledger today reports that both Garden State Equality and the Human Rights Campaign are encouraging Mayor Cory Booker to challenge Gov. Chris Christie in his 2013 re-election bid. Steve Goldstein, the head of New Jersey’s largest gay rights organization, says he’ll go “door to door from New Jersey to West Hollywood to raise millions of dollars” if Newark …

Garden State Equality chair Steven Goldstein has issued a statement about Gov. Chris Christie and his impending veto of the marriage equality bill. An excerpt: As I have said before, where we agree with them on the issues, Governor Christie and his Administration have treated us with warmth and responsiveness. Yes is yes, no is no, and we’ll get back …

A New Jersey Superior Court judge today granted permission for Lambda Legal to proceed with its marriage equality lawsuit on behalf of Garden State Equality and seven same-sex couples. Via press release: “We are delighted that the New Jersey Superior Court will allow this case to continue and permit us to demonstrate how the legislature’s crafting of a status other …

In a 3-3 split decision (one seat is vacant), this morning the New Jersey Supreme Court declined to hear a case challenging the unfairness of the state’s civil unions law. The case was brought by Lambda Legal and Garden State Equality. Metro Weekly’s Chris Geidner quotes GSE: “Because of the legislature’s inability to act and the Supreme Court’s decision today, …

Garden State Equality is talking tough. Sending a bold signal that no political party should take the support of the LGBT community and its allies for granted, Garden State Equality’s Board of Directors has unanimously approved a new provision for the organization’s bylaws that immediately precludes Garden State Equality from giving financial contributions to political parties and their affiliated committees. …

Marriage equality activists and Bible-waving opponents faced off outside the New Jersey state house yesterday as Garden State Equality made a last-minute pitch to convince to convince lawmakers to make a vote on marriage before session ends on January 11th. Governor-elect Chris Christie takes office on the 19th. But the state Assembly Judiciary Committee refused the effort. Garden State Equality …

After a month of dithering, it appears that the full NJ Senate will vote on marriage equality next week. The announcement came to the cheers of hundreds of LGBT activists gathered at the state house in Trenton. The New Jersey gay marriage proposal will be considered Monday by a Senate committee and could be posted for a full senate vote …

Garden State Equality is pushing forward with their marriage equality plan despite yesterday’s loss by their champion, Gov. Jon Corzine. Should the NJ legislature pass same-sex marriage during the remainder of Corzine’s lame duck term, he has said he will sign it. Incoming anti-gay governor Chris Christie has said that if that happens, one of his first acts will be …